A primer of the United States Air Force aircraft/missile Technical Coordination Program

* Production or modification hardware kits or maintenance labor;

* Engineering support to the production process;

* Training requirements;

* P&A or LOAD studies for modifications, unless requested through AFSAC;

* Releasability of data not currently a configuration of the member country's account;

* Configuration control, and;

* Technical Order Distribution or Technical Order Status Information.

The TCGs work exclusively for their international customers, and they are not responsible to provide any service to USAF units or non-member countries. The member countries fund the TCGs, and 100 percent of the TCGs time is dedicated to support of their member countries.

Countries with membership in the TCG are afforded the opportunity of an annual In-Country Review. Personnel from the TCG visit the member country and provide briefings of current and upcoming issues, complete financial status of the case, any new development with the weapon system (proposed modifications and upgrades), discuss any country-specific problems or concerns, and are available to help troubleshoot weapon system problems.

Usually held annually, the World Wide Reviews (WWR) are designed to provide TCG member country representatives an opportunity to present their agenda items and to attend briefings that relate to maintaining and supporting their aircraft and missiles. Open meetings allow for the discussion of items that have general interest to the country representatives. The WWR provides a forum for members and weapon system contractors to interface, view and discuss the latest offerings from industry. Side meetings are normally held between individual country representatives and TCG engineering/technical personnel that cover specific topics of interest to that country or to the all members of TCG. Any questions or requests from member countries are tracked with an action item to ensure that answers are provided to the satisfaction of the requester.

The TCGs also help track and expedite assets that countries have sent in, and are in the process of being repaired. The TCGs have direct access and interface to the US supply system, bases, depots, support contractors, and management personnel.

Currently there are eleven active TCGs, as well as the Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP) supporting a wide range of aircraft, missiles, engines and other systems. Each program has a dedicated Chief who controls and supervises the dedicated staff. This article will discuss the location, history, member countries, and the systems supported for each of the individual TCGs and ECISAP.